Gerrard: What I'll take from 2013 tour
Steven Gerrard has reflected on Liverpool's memorable summer tour after striking the final goal in a 3-0 victory over the Thailand national team on Sunday and declared: "We couldn't ask for more."
Brendan Rodgers' side rounded off their tour of Indonesia, Australia and Thailand in style, with Philippe Coutinho and Iago Aspas also on the score-sheet, to maintain their 100 per cent pre-season record.
Off the pitch the Reds have been overwhelmingly supported every step of the way and Gerrard considers the trip to have been a resounding success for a number of reasons.
The skipper told LFC TV: "We couldn't ask for more. It has been a really good trip.
"It's been very successful from obviously a financial point of view - the turnout we've had at every stadium has been superb - but for fitness reasons and also team spirit."
The Reds played in front of more than 200,000 fans across their three tour fixtures, and were rapturously greeted by many thousands more as they travelled around the region.
As club captain, Gerrard has talked during the past fortnight of his responsibility to show the players' appreciation for the fans - and the skipper delivered a heartfelt thank-you today.
"You only have to look at the level of support we have everywhere we go," the 33-year-old added.
"It just goes to show how big this football club is and how privileged we all are to be a part of the first team.
"We can send a message out to every group of fans in Indonesia, Australia and Thailand - a big thank-you from all the players and staff."
The tour allowed the midfielder to complete his comeback from shoulder surgery at the conclusion of 2012-13, with the exciting prospect of his testimonial against Olympiacos to follow next weekend.
However, the Liverpool No.8 insists the focus within the dressing room is on one fixture - the opening Barclays Premier League match of the new campaign, at home to Stoke City on August 17.
He said: "I've obviously had a couple of issues with blisters and stuff but I've managed to get as many minutes as I wanted to get out of it and I've done 95 per cent of the training. So from a personal point of view, I'm exactly where I want to be.
"As players, we have to openly admit this is not the time of year you enjoy. Training is very difficult, we're jetlagged at the moment and our sleep is all over the place - but there's still three weeks to go.
"We've got some really good friendlies to look forward to but, I won't lie to you, we're all looking forward to the Friday night before Stoke when it's all in the bank."